Frank Rich: This Was The Decade Of The Con

As exemplified by Tiger Woods, the 00′s have brought us con after con, whether it was companies like Enron, self-moralizers like Eliot Spitzer, or falsely-sold wars like Iraq.  And the real person of the year, posits Frank Rich, isn’t Ben Bernacke, but rather Tiger Woods.

If there’s been a consistent narrative to this year and every other in this decade, it’s that most of us, Bernanke included, have been so easily bamboozled. The men who played us for suckers, whether at Citigroup or Fannie Mae, at the White House or Ted Haggard’s megachurch, are the real movers and shakers of …

Women, Not Men, Will Pay The Price In Health Care Bill Re Abortion

The abortion issue continues to be a sticking point in the health care bill, with anti-choicers complaining it doesn’t restrict women enough, and pro-choicers pointing out that women’s legal rights are being compromised.

Critics included Douglas Johnson, legislative director for the National Right to Life Committee, who said the compromise is “light years removed” from the restrictions in the House bill and creates a series of new problems. Johnson warned that the new Senate language would not pass in the House, where anti-abortion Democrats control a crucial bloc of votes.

On the other side of the divide, Nancy Keenan, …

GOP Hypocrisy On The Heath Care Bill Voting Timeline

Republicans are up in arms about the cloture vote on the health care bill taking place at 1AM Monday.  However, it was 1AM Friday when Republicans shamelessly voted no on a defense bill that would have cut off troop pay, in an attempt to hold up health care reform. And Republicans could waive objections and allow health care to proceed, but because South Carolina Senator Jim DeMint (r) has vowed to use every procedural tool to delay health care.  So, when you hear them blaming Democrats for having to work around Christmas, here’s the real deal:

[Senate Majority Leader …

Senate Bill Has 60 Votes; Reduces Deficit $132 Billion Over 10 Years

Ben Nelson will sign on to the heath care reform bill which the Congressional Budget Office say will bring down the deficit by $132 billion over ten years, and by $1.3 trillion over 20 years. Here are some key changes:

- Holding Insurers Accountable: Insurers in large group market have to maintain a medical loss ration of 85%. Insurers in the small group market have to maintain a medical loss ration of 80%. Insurance companies who jack up their rates will be barred from competing in the exchange.

- Regulations For Children: Starting immediately children cannot be denied …

The Free-For-All (AKA Open Thread)

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Teabagging For Jesus

There’s always a fun ride at The Political Carnival, like this photo.  They’ve yelled at me when I’ve used this word, but it’s the one they unwittingly apply to themselves.

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On Friday’s Radio Show…

• Alan discusses the Democratic Party civil war over health care reform with Lanny Davis, former Special Counsel to President Clinton.

• Conservative columnist Erik Rush defends his declaration of war against Hollywood liberals.

• It’s the Friday Night Free-For-All!…

Republicans Planning To Hold Up Health Care Reform With “Readathon”

They’ve already stooped to reading Bernie Sanders’s 767 page amendment on the floor to hold up the works, then they tried to filibuster a bill that would pay and support the troops.  Now, with Democrats hoping to get health care reform before Christmas, they continue to play games.

At a news conference Friday in the Capitol, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., accused Democrats of trying to ram the health care bill through with dozens of changes as yet unseen, and promised to do all they could to prevent it.

“I think we’ve …

DC Mayor Signs Gay Marriage Bill

It’s anticipated that by March gays in DC will be able to marry, as Mayor Adrian M. Fenty signed an historic bill that passed the DC City Council earlier in the week.  The bill must still pass a 30-day Congressional review, but it’s likely Congress will leave it alone.  The signing took place at All Souls Church.

Below: L. Page “Deacon” Maccubbin, left, proposes to his partner of 32 years, Jim Bennett, after the District of Columbia city council approved gay marriage in their final vote on a bill legalizing the unions in Washington, on Tuesday, Dec. 15, 2009. (AP …

Why These Republicans Are Hypocritical, Phony Patriots

By “these Republicans” I mean those in the Senate that tried a failed filibuster on a bill to fund wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in an attempt to delay health care legislation.

On a 63 to 33 vote, Democrats cleared a key hurdle that should allow them to approve the must-pass military spending bill Saturday and return to the health-care debate. After years of criticizing Democrats for not supporting the troops, just three Republicans supported the military funding.

Let a Democrat just try to hold up military funding and see how the right reacts.  But when they do it, …

Sarah Palin Quits Her Vacation

Sarah Palin, who was discovered wearing a blacked-out McCain cap on her Hawaiian vacation, has now quit her vacation early because of the flap (h/t The Political Carnival).

“In an attempt to ‘go incognito,’ I Sharpied the logo out on my sun visor so photographers would be less likely to recognize me and bother my kids or other vacationers.

“I am so sorry if people took this silly incident the wrong way. I adore John McCain, support him 100 percent and will do everything I can to support his reelection. As everyone knows, I was honored and proud …